Simulated engine for bicycles



Oct. 12, 1965 J. H. LYMAN SIMULATED ENGINE FOR BICYCLES Filed April 28,1964 United States Patent "ice 3,210,889 SIMULATED ENGINE FOR BICYCLESJoseph H. Lyman, Croydon, Pa. '(35 Garnet Lane, Willingboro, NJ.) FiledApr. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 363,157 8 Claims. (Cl. 46175) This inventionrelates to a simulated engine for bicycles, and has as its primaryobject the provision of a device which may be readily attached to anyconventional bicycle to simulate in appearance and sound an internalcombustion engine, for the edification and amusement particularly ofchildren.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simulated engineof this character which is highly ornamental, which will enhance theappearance of the bicycle, and which will give the illusion of a motorpowered twowheeled vehicle when applied to a conventional pedalpropelledbicycle.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a devicewhich may be readily attached to and detached from any conventionalbicycle with a minimum of effort and difficulty.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter which is provided with internal means for simulating the soundof an internal combustion engine, thus further adding to the realism ofthe device.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a devicewhich will be sturdy and durable in construction, simple and inexpensiveto manufacture, assemble and install, light in weight and pleasing inappearance.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such adevice provided on its top with simulated carburetors, the latter beingreadily removable so that the device may be utilized as an auxiliaryluggage carrier, if desired.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as thedescription of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanyingdrawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of thisinventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of simulated engine forbicycles in accordance with the instant invention, shown in position ona bicycle, the latter being indicated in dotted lines, as are certaininterior portions of the device.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view, partially broken away, certainconcealed portions being indicated in dotted lines, of the device shownin FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIGURE 1 as viewedfrom the right hand side of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 ofFIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, partially broken away, taken substantiallyalong the line 55 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated bythe arrows; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in elevation andpartially in section, of a constructional detail.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, the simulated engine ofthe instant invention is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a pairof complementary side plates 11, a rear plate 12, and a front plate 13.The side plates 11 include overlapping top flanges 14 and inclined topside portions 15. The downwardly inclined side portions merge intovertical portions 16 and outwardly bowed portions 17 which are inclinedinwardly at their lower 3,210,889 Patented Oct. 12, 1965 ends 18. Therear plate 12 is cut to conform to the configuration of the side platesand is provided with an inwardly extending flange 19 by means of whichit is secured interiorly of the side plates in any desired manner. Thefront plate 13 is of similar external configuration and also providedwith an inwardly extending flange 20. A central vertical slot 21 openedat its lower end is adapted to overlie the rear wheel and frame of thebicycle, the latter being generally indicated at 22 in dotted lines inFIGURE 1.

The bicycle 22 may be of any conventional design, and includes the usualcomponents including an inclined rear frame member 23 and a horizontalframe member 24 which extend to a hub 25 upon which is mounted the usualwire spoked wheel 26 provided with a tire 27. A rear fender 28 is alsoprovided, and secured to the hub 25 by means of the usual horizontallyextending strut 29 and angularly disposed strut 30.

The overlapping flanges 14 are provided with transverse slots 31 throughwhich are extended bolts 32, provided with nuts 33, so that the relativewidth of the side portions may be adjusted. The front and rear platesmay be split longitudinally as at 34 and 35, respectively, andoverlapped to accommodate variations in width of the assembly.

Simulated manifolds 40 are mounted on each inclined portion 15, and maybe secured thereto by bolts 41 and nuts 42 as shown in FIGURE 4 extendedthrough suitable aligned openings, or alternatively may be snap fittedin place by means of conventional snap studs engaging in split openings,as shown for example in FIGURE 6. Simulated exhaust vents 43 extendlaterally from the lower flange 44 of the simulated exhaust manifold andcommunicate with the common exhaust pipe 45 which extends rearwardlyfrom rear plate 12 as indicated in FIGURE 1.

Simulated carburetors 46 are provided with bottom studs 47 which aregrooved as at 48 and extend through slotted openings 49 and top flanges14 as shown in FIG- URE 6, to add realism to the assembly.

In mounting the asembly on a bicycle the simulated motor is positionedover the rear wheel as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 and rests on rearfender 28. Spring clips 50 are secured at desired spaced intervals alongthe lower inclined portions 18 of the side plates as by means of bolts51 which engage through angle portions 52 of the clips and held inposition by nuts 53 (see FIGURE 4). The clips may be engagedrespectively with the horizontal frame members 24 and the horizontalfender supports 29, and may be of any desired conventional type.

The entire assembly, with the exception of the bolts and nuts ispreferably constructed of plastic, although light sheet metal may besubstituted therefor or other suitable material. The manifolds 40, theexhaust vents 43 in exhaust pipe 45, and the simulated carburetors 46are preferably colored to simulate chrome, while the side plates 11 maybe of any desired color in order to enhance the appearance thereof.

In order to simulate the sound of a motor plastic fingers 55 extendinwardly from the horizontal portion 16 of side plates 11. The fingersare provided with flanges 56 which are mounted on dome-shaped washers 57and secured in position by bolts 58 and nuts 59 together withappropriate washers 60.

The plastic fingers are so positioned as to be engaged successively bythe spokes of the wheel 26 as the latter rotates to be set intovibratory motion, which produces a sound from the interior of the enginewhile the bicycle is in motion.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided asimulated engine for bicycles which accomplishes all of the objects ofthis invention, and

others, including many advantages of high entertainment value andconsequent commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A simulated engine for bicycles comprising a pair of side plateshaving overlapping top flanges adapted to rest on the top of the rearfender, spring clips on the bottom of the side flanges adapted to securethe plates to the frame of the bicycle, simulated exhaust manifoldssecured to the side plates, simulated exhaust vents extending from themanifold, simulated rearwardly extending exhaust pipes extending fromthe vents and simulated carburetors secured to the top flanges.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said simulated carburetors includegrooved bottom studs detachably engageable in split openings in said topflanges.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided interiorly of theengine for simulating the noise of an internal combustion engine.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means compriseinwardly extending plastic fingers detachably secured to the inner sidesof the side plates adapted to be engaged by the spokes of the rear wheelto vibrate when the rear wheel is rotated.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said top flanges are provided withelongated transverse slots and adjustably secured together by boltsextended through said slots.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein overlapped twopiece front and rearplates are secured to said side plates, said front plate beingvertically slotted and adapted to overlie the rear wheel of the bicycle.

7. In combination with a bicycle having a frame including a horizontalrear fork member, a spoked rear wheel journalled on said rear forkmember, a rear fender having a horizontal support aligned with said rearfork member and positioned adjacent said rear wheel, a simulated engineincluding a pair of side plates having overlapped flanges resting on thetop of said rear fender, means adjustably securing said flangestogether, spring clips carried by the lower portions of said side platesengageable with said horizontal frame member and said horizontalsupport, simulated exhaust manifolds, exhaust vents and exhaust pipesdetachably secured to the exterior of said side plates and simulatedcarburetors detachably secured to said flanges.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein plastic flaps are secured to theinner side of said side plates and engaged by the spokes of said rearwheel to vibrate as the latter rotates to simulate the noise of aninternal combustion engine.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,963,333 6/34Morales 224 32.1 2,578,886 12/51 Isherwood et a1 "-33 2,620,764 12/52Cook 280-1.14 X 2,624,156 1/53 Meyer 46175 X 2,646,990 7/53 Fowler 280-1.14 X 2,852,886 9/58 Parker 11656 X 3,029,553 4/62 Clemens 46175 A.HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH H. BETTS, Examiner.

7. IN COMBINATION WITH A BICYCLE HAVING A FRAME INCLUDING A HORIZONTALREAR FORK MEMBER, A SPOKED REAR WHEEL JOURNALLED ON SAID REAR FORKMEMBER, A REAR FENDER HAVING A HORIZONTAL SUPPORT ALIGNED WITH SAID REARFORK MEMBER AND POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID REAR WHEEL, A SIMULATED ENGINEINCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE PLATES HAVING OVERLAPPED FLANGES RESTING ON THETOP OF SAID REAR FENDER, MEANS ADJUSTABLY SECURTING SAID FLANGESTOGETHER, SPRING CLIPS CARRIED BY THE LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE PLATESENGAGEABLE WITH SAID HORIZONTAL FRAME MEMBER AND SAID HORIZONTALSUPPORT, SIMULATED EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, EXHAUST VENTS AND EXHAUST PIPESDETACHABLY SECURED TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID SIDE PLATES AND SIMULATEDCARBURETORS DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID FLANGES.